subject: Serving Alcohol At Catered Events [print this page] Serving alcohol at a catered event takes some extra planning. It pays to take some time and sort out the details before your event. Here are some points to consider before the big day arrives.
Is Your Catering Service Licensed to Serve Alcohol?
It is an obvious question, but one that should be asked up front during the first interview. Many catering services are not licensed, and if you want them to handle the drinks for the event you could be in for a rude awakening after you have hired them.
Bartenders
Ask your caterer how many bartenders they will supply. It is helpful to have a guest count for them. A good rule of thumb is one bartender for every 40-50 guests. The guest count will also help the catering service determine the amount of alcohol to bring as well as the amount of ice.
What type of Bar?
There are several options for setting up a bar for a catered event. Most decisions will depend entirely on your budget for the affair. An open bar is a bar with all the works at no charge to the guests. The reverse of that is a cash bar where guests must pay for all their drinks.
A third option that many don't consider is a Limited Open Bar. The idea is that certain amounts of beverages are free, but at a point there is a charge. A common set up for an open bar is one where beer and wine is served free to the guests, but mixed drinks and hard alcohol are charged for.
It pays to take the time and decide up front what you intend to do at your event. A good catering service should be able to accommodate you in whatever decision you decide upon.
